Control, Protect, Cure

The myrtle rust and kauri dieback spaces desperately need a suite of fully integrated management tools and approaches to saving our ngahere (forest).

To this end, Ngā Rākau Taketake is investing in research and related activities in the field of Tools and Technologies for Detection and Management. This team has been using an extensive outreach process to socialise new technologies, assess important values and concerns, and ensure research, operations and case studies are integrated.

This investment will incorporate research from across Ngā Rākau Taketake, with an emphasis on novel tools and approaches.

Extensive consultation has determined priority areas for research:

1. Rapid/novel detection and diagnostics
2. Currently used/alternative disinfectants and their validation
3. Mātauranga-based bioactives

The team have reached out to over 120 people in the myrtle rust and kauri dieback spaces to find out what needs to be done and who could do it. Seven video hui have taken place, or are scheduled to focus on: disinfecting pathways/alternative disinfectants; pathogen control in the landscape; mātauranga-based bioactives; forest health; novel detection methods for kaitiaki and land managers; and diagnostics in the field.